Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 71363 — Rhinehart, LA

ZIP code 71363 (Rhinehart, Catahoula County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 71363 is

tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 19

First frostNov 12

2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Rhinehart, LA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Rhinehart, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Jena, LA — 7 miles away, elevation 144 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 71363

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 12) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 71363 came on Jan 21 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Jan 21

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 9a in Louisiana

517 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Louisiana, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Rhinehart, LA.

Soil in Rhinehart, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71363 is Guyton — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Guyton silt loam.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 71363; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rhinehart, LA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, August

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days83days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights42nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,033base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation59.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jena, LA (7 mi away); precipitation: Jena, LA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

713428b

Jena, LA · 8 mi

713439a

Jonesville, LA · 10 mi

714018b

Aimwell, LA · 11 mi

713779a

Wildsville, LA · 13 mi

713409a

Harrisonburg, LA · 14 mi

713718b

Trout, LA · 15 mi

714258b

Enterprise, LA · 19 mi

714658b

Olla, LA · 20 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71363

What planting zone is ZIP code 71363?

ZIP code 71363 (Rhinehart, LA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Rhinehart, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71363 is March 19; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jena station.

When is the first frost in Rhinehart, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71363 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71363?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71363 get?

About 59.5 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jena station).

How hot do summers get in Rhinehart, LA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in August, with about 83 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71363 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Guyton at the center of ZIP 71363: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rhinehart, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71363 came on Jan 21 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rhinehart, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71363 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 71363 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 71363 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.